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Why should I use insect repellent?
Insect repellents can help reduce the exposure to mosquito and tick bites that may cause serious illness and even death. Using insect repellent allows you to continue to play and work outdoors with a reduced risk of insect bites.
How does mosquito repellent work?
Repellents contain an active ingredient which repels mosquitoes, making the person unattractive for feeding. It does not kill mosquitoes. Repellents are effective only at short distances from the treated surface, so you may still see mosquitoes flying nearby. As long as you are not getting bitten, there is no reason to apply more.
What time of day should I wear mosquito repellent?
Many mosquitoes that carry disease especially like to feed during the evening and early morning hours. If you are outdoors during these times of day, it is important to apply repellent. In many parts of the country, there are mosquitoes that also bite during the day, and these mosquitoes have also been found to carry some diseases. The safest decision is to apply repellent whenever you are outdoors.
What are effective active ingredients in insect repellent?
The most effective repellents contain active ingredients of DEET or Picaridin (KBR 3020), which repel pests like mosquitoes and ticks. Oil of eucalyptus (PMD), a plant based repellent, has been shown to provide similar protection to lower concentrations of DEET. Recently, IR3535 was approved as an effective active ingredient. Repellents containing these ingredients have been tested against a variety of biting insects and have been shown to be very effective.
How should you choose an insect repellent?
When choosing repellent, you should consider how long you will be outdoors, the time of day, the temperature, the type of activity that you will be doing, the location, and the type of insects you wish to repel. There are many products available that provide protection against insect bites. You can use the following website to find a repellent that is right for you: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/index.cfm#searchform. Regardless of what product is used, if you start getting bitten by insects you should reapply the repellent according to the label instructions, try a different product, or, if possible, leave the area with biting insects.
How does the percentage of active ingredient in a product relate to the amount of protection it gives?
In general, the more active ingredient a product contains the longer it provides protection from insects. The concentration of different active ingredients cannot be directly compared (that is, 10% concentration of one product doesn’t mean it works exactly the same as 10% concentration of another product). Products with <10% active ingredient may offer only limited protection, often 1–2 hours. Also, studies suggest that concentrations of DEET above approximately 50% do not offer a marked increase in protection time against insects.
Is it safe to use an insect repellent and a product containing sunscreen at the same time?
Yes. People can, and should, use both a sunscreen and an insect repellent when they are outdoors. Follow the instructions on the product label for proper application of each product. In general, the recommendation is to apply sunscreen first, followed by the repellent.
Is it safe to use a combination sunscreen/insect repellent product?
It is recommended NOT to use a single product that combines insect repellent containing DEET and sunscreen, because the instruction for use of insect repellents and the use of sunscreen are different. In most situations, insect repellent does not need to be reapplied as frequently as sunscreen. While no recommendations are available at this time regarding products that combine other active ingredients and sunscreen, it is important to always follow the label on whatever product you are using.
Mosquito Repellent
Public Health
Fact Sheet
Public Health
Fact Sheet
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Why should I use insect repellent?
Insect repellents can help reduce the exposure to mosquito and tick bites that may cause serious illness and even death. Using insect repellent allows you to continue to play and work outdoors with a reduced risk of insect bites.
How does mosquito repellent work?
Repellents contain an active ingredient which repels mosquitoes, making the person unattractive for feeding. It does not kill mosquitoes. Repellents are effective only at short distances from the treated surface, so you may still see mosquitoes flying nearby. As long as you are not getting bitten, there is no reason to apply more.
What time of day should I wear mosquito repellent?
Many mosquitoes that carry disease especially like to feed during the evening and early morning hours. If you are outdoors during these times of day, it is important to apply repellent. In many parts of the country, there are mosquitoes that also bite during the day, and these mosquitoes have also been found to carry some diseases. The safest decision is to apply repellent whenever you are outdoors.
What are effective active ingredients in insect repellent?
The most effective repellents contain active ingredients of DEET or Picaridin (KBR 3020), which repel pests like mosquitoes and ticks. Oil of eucalyptus (PMD), a plant based repellent, has been shown to provide similar protection to lower concentrations of DEET. Recently, IR3535 was approved as an effective active ingredient. Repellents containing these ingredients have been tested against a variety of biting insects and have been shown to be very effective.
How should you choose an insect repellent?
When choosing repellent, you should consider how long you will be outdoors, the time of day, the temperature, the type of activity that you will be doing, the location, and the type of insects you wish to repel. There are many products available that provide protection against insect bites. You can use the following website to find a repellent that is right for you: http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/index.cfm#searchform. Regardless of what product is used, if you start getting bitten by insects you should reapply the repellent according to the label instructions, try a different product, or, if possible, leave the area with biting insects.
How does the percentage of active ingredient in a product relate to the amount of protection it gives?
In general, the more active ingredient a product contains the longer it provides protection from insects. The concentration of different active ingredients cannot be directly compared (that is, 10% concentration of one product doesn’t mean it works exactly the same as 10% concentration of another product). Products with <10% active ingredient may offer only limited protection, often 1–2 hours. Also, studies suggest that concentrations of DEET above approximately 50% do not offer a marked increase in protection time against insects.
Is it safe to use an insect repellent and a product containing sunscreen at the same time?
Yes. People can, and should, use both a sunscreen and an insect repellent when they are outdoors. Follow the instructions on the product label for proper application of each product. In general, the recommendation is to apply sunscreen first, followed by the repellent.
Is it safe to use a combination sunscreen/insect repellent product?
It is recommended NOT to use a single product that combines insect repellent containing DEET and sunscreen, because the instruction for use of insect repellents and the use of sunscreen are different. In most situations, insect repellent does not need to be reapplied as frequently as sunscreen. While no recommendations are available at this time regarding products that combine other active ingredients and sunscreen, it is important to always follow the label on whatever product you are using.
Mosquito Repellent
Public Health
Fact Sheet
Public Health
Fact Sheet
Continued on other side